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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 17 - Legislative AgendaLegislative Agenda Increase in Sales Tax Cap for Transit Support Support an increase to the state sales tax cap to allow for an election for a Y2 cent tax fund regional rail. Expansion of Non- Taxable Items -Monitor We will monitor the Legislature's expansion of non-taxable items and oppose the expansion if it would represent a severe, negative impact to City sales tax revenue. Property Appraisal and Revenue Caps -Oppose We will continue to oppose both of these items. The Governor has appointed a committee to hold hearings statewide on property taxation and will report to the Governor prior to the start of the session. Unfunded Mandates -Oppose We will oppose any efforts to pass along to cities additional fees or any increases in fees to fund state budget shortfalls. We would also oppose legislation that would create new obligations on cities to provi services to their citizens without the necessary funding to carry out the provisions of t leislation. I g •- Burglary of a Motor Vehicle -Support Stronger Penalties The City of Grapevine supports legislation that strengthens the penalties for burglary of a motor vehicle. DFW Airport -Monitor The City of Grapevine continues to support the revenue sharing agreement between the Cities of Grapevine, Dallas and Fort Worth enacted by the 77 th Texas Legislature. Ethics Legislation Clarification -Support The City of Grapevine supports legislation clarifying House Bill 914 from the 79 th Legislative Session. Specifically important is the value threshold that triggers the reporting requirement. Election Law -Monitor Oppose any legislation that would further limit uniform election dates. Parks Funding -Support Advocate legislation that would increase funding for State Parks and the Texas Recreation and Parks Account and insure that all grant applicants are selected based on competitive grant scoring. Contingency Fee Contracts Legislation -Monitor Support continued ability for City to pursue contingency fee contracts for attorneys (i.e. back tax collection). December 13, 2006 (2:42PM) Right to Fund Lobbying -Support Support continued ability to use local funds for State lobbying to insure that the interests of Grapevine residents are known in Austin. Medlin Bill -Support Continue to advocate for the Medlin Bill as a first-degree felony for intoxicati manslaughter of a police officer or firefighter while on duty. I Right -of -Way Legislation -Monitor The City will oppose any legislation that erodes our ability to govern the right-of-way in our City limits. In addition, we will oppose any further legislation that affects our ability to collect fees for the use of the right-of-way from utility companies. Insured Motorist Data base -Su pport During the 79th Legislative Session SB 1670 was passed that would require the ,tevelopment of a statewide Insured Motorist database that would be available to law enforcement agencies. That program is still mandated but has been extended and will not be implemented until 2007. We will continue to follow this issue to see that it is finally implemented as soon as possible. State Library Database Funding (TexShare)-Support Several Legislative Sessions ago funding that provides important database services for Texas libraries was cut from approximately 6 million per year to about 2 million due to budget shortfalls. Since that Session, funding has been slightly increased but still remains far short of the original level. We will support efforts to have this funding restored to the level that is requested by the Texas Library Association. During the last session of the Legislature, a bill was passed that would grant ces abo\P,. 50,000 the authority to call an election to recognize and meet and confer with Police a Firefighter Associations regarding pay and benefit issues. The City is opposed to th legislation as it is the first step towards collective bargaining. We will oppose any efforts lower the threshold below 50,000 and support any efforts that would repeal the legislati or raise the population threshold. I Staff recommends approval. sm December 13, 2006 (2:42PM) M. •0 KHMNIM01 WHEREAS, the 80th Session of the Texas Legislature begins on January 9, 2007; we WHEREAS, the City of Grapevine has a strong interest in Legislative activities that may affect the City; and WHEREAS, once the Legislative Session starts, Legislation moves quickly and oftentimes a City position must be expressed on an issue before the City Council has an opportunity to meet; and WHEREAS, The passage of a broad Legislative agenda will allow to staff to communicate the Legislative priorities of the City on behalf of the entire City Council. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS: Section 1. That all matters stated in the above preamble are true and correct and are incorporated herein as if copied in their entirety. Section 2. That the Legislative Agenda, attached as Exhibit "A", will serve as the official Legislative Agenda for the City of Grapevine. Section 3. That this resolution shall take effect from and after the date of its passage. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS on this the 19th day of December, 2006. ... F; 01 9 X� �44 1 �.Ckk i Exhibit A City of Grapevine 2007 State Legislative Agenda Sales Tax Streamlined Sales Tax -Oppose Proposed legislation that would change the sales tax situs from point of sale to point of delivery would be extremely detrimental to our sales tax revenue stream. This issue seems to have lost much of its steam in Texas because of problems in other states that passed similar legislation. However, we will continue to monitor for proposed changes. 4B and 4A Statute Changes -Monitor Since the Voters passed the 413 and CCPD sales tax on November 7, we have a vested interest in seeing that the legislation that created those optional sales taxes is noi changed in a way that would negatively impact the projects proposed to be funded with that revenue. Increase in Sales Tax Cap for Transit -Support Support an increase to the state sales tax cap to allow for an election for a Y2cent tax to fund regional rail. Expansion of Non -Taxable Items -Monitor We will monitor the Legislature's expansion of non-taxable items and oppose the expansion if it would represent a severe, negative impact to City sales tax revenue. Property Appraisal and Revenue Caps -Oppose We will continue to oppose both of these items. The Governor has appointed a committee to hold hearings statewide on property taxation and will report to the Governor prior to the start of the session. Unfunded Mandates -Oppose We will oppose any efforts to pass along to cities additional fees or any increases in fees to fund state budget shortfalls. We would also oppose legislation that would create new obligations on cities to provide services to their citizens without the necessary funding to carry out the provisions of the legislation. Burglary of a Motor Vehicle -Support Stronger Penalties The City of Grapevine supports legislation that strengthens the penalties for burglary of a motor vehicle. DFW Airport -Monitor The City of Grapevine continues to support the revenue sharing agreement between the Cities of Grapevine, Dallas and Fort Worth enacted by the 77 th Texas Legislature. Ethics Legislation Clarification -Support 79th The City of Grapevine supports legislation clarifying House Bill 914 from the 7 Legislative Session. Specifically important is the value threshold that triggers the reporting requirement. Election Law -Monitor Oppose any legislation that would further limit uniform election dates. Parks Funding -Support Advocate legislation that would increase funding for State Parks and the Texas Recreation and Parks Account and insure that all grant applicants are selected based on competitive grant scoring Contingency Fee Contracts Legislation -Monitor Support continued ability for City to pursue contingency fee contracts for attorneys (4 back tax collection). Right to Fund Lobbying -Support Support continued ability to use local funds for State lobbying to insure that the interests of Grapevine residents are known in Austin. lZiedlin Bill -Support Continue to advocate for Medlin Bill- first degree felony for intoxication manslaughter of a police officer or firefighter while on duty. Right of Way Legislation -Monitor The City will oppose any legislation that erodes our ability to govern the right of way in our City limits. In addition, we will oppose any further legislation that effects our ability to collect fees for the use of the right away from utility companies. Insured Motorist Data base -S u pport During the 79th Legislative Session SB 1670 was passed that would require the development of a statewide Insured Motorist database that would be available to law enforcement agencies. That program is still mandated but has been extended and will not be implemented until 2007. We will continue to follow this issue to see that it is finally implemented as soon as possible. State Library Database Funding (TexS hare) -S up port Several Legislative Sessions ago funding that provides important database services for Texas libraries was cut from approximately 6 million per year to about 2 million due to budget shortfalls. Since that Session, funding has been slightly increased but still remains far short of the original level. We will support efforts to have this funding restored to the level that is requested by the Texas Library Association. Meet and Confer During the last sessionof the Legislature, a bill was passed that would grant above 50,000 the authority to call an election to recognize and meet and confer with Police _ • Firefighter Associationsr • pay _ • benefit issues.e City is opposed to this legislationthe first step towards collectivebargaining. oppose any efforts . lower the threshold below 50,000 . • support any efforts